You guys we are in the home stretch, we only have a couple more weeks until my due date and baby #3 will be here. I still have so many things on my third trimester to do list to get done, it’s crazy!
I know that many people feel like the third trimester lasts forever, but with this pregnancy, I feel like the whole thing has flown by.
I’m not sure if it’s because of how crazy this year has been or if it’s because this is the third time around so the other kids keep me busy. But I still, feel like I just found out I was pregnant, and yet here we are almost ready to meet this little one.
Since I’m in the last few weeks of this pregnancy I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the things I like to do during the third trimester to get ready for baby and transition to that newborn stage.
There are tons of different things you might have on your before baby to do list and that’s great.
Each pregnant mom is going to have different things we prioritize and really want to get done during the third trimester. But there are some things that all pregnant moms need to get done before baby arrives.
Third Trimester To Do List
My list of things to get done before baby arrives feels like it’s a mile long, luckily it is getting shorter as we get closer.
Many of the things on the list are things I have wanted to get done for a while ( like organizing under the bathroom sink) and some of them are baby specific.
Today I’m sharing mainly the baby specific things to get done, I’ll leave all the other things you want to get done up to you.
I’m going to break this post of things to get done into what to do at the start of the third trimester and those things to get done the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Start of the Third Trimester
The third trimester officially starts at 28 weeks pregnant and goes until you give birth, typically 40 weeks. So the third trimester is from 7-9 months of pregnancy.
By week 28 you have probably figured a lot of this pregnancy thing out. You have made it through the exhausting and sometimes nauseating first trimester and hopefully gotten a little more energy during the second trimester.
Now at the beginning of the third trimester, you’re probably still feeling pretty good. The baby is moving a ton and you might actually still enjoy being pregnant.
Write your To Do List
This is the time you want to get things done. Finish off anything you wanted to get done during the second trimester and start writing your third trimester to do list.
I’m a list writer and love having a paper list to cross things off as I get them done. But you could easily make to do list for the third trimester on your phone or computer.
Having a to do list makes it so much less stressful because you don’t have to worry about remembering all the things you need to get done.
Create Baby Registry (if you haven’t already)
If you don’t already have a baby registry create one! If it’s not your first baby you might be wondering why you need a baby registry.
There are a lot of reasons to have a baby registry, especially an amazon baby registry.
My number one reason for creating a baby registry is the completion discount. Put things you are going to buy anyway on your registry and then use the completion discount to place an order before baby comes.
With Baby #3 I created a private baby registry on Amazon and at Target just so I could get the discount on items I already planned to purchase.
I didn’t tell anyone about the registries I just used them as a way to keep track of the things I needed to purchase for baby and everything else including some Christmas presents.
Then when it was available I used the completion discount to make a big purchase. I was actually surprised at some of the things that qualified for the completion discount on Amazon.
Have Your Baby Shower
The second trimester or the beginning of the third is a great time to have your baby shower.
It’s a time when you’re still feeling good and looking cute with your baby bump.
Waiting until the start of the third trimester can be a good idea so you don’t have as long to store baby stuff and you will have more time to decide on the things you want.
Take Maternity Photos
The start of the third trimester is a great time to take maternity photos. Your bump will be popping which is what you want to see in maternity photos.
Some people like to get maternity photos done earlier but depending on how you carry your babies you might not look very pregnant until the end of the second trimester or start of the third.
Register at the Hospital
By the third trimester most likely your doctor will start telling you to register at the hospital. The sooner you register at the hospital the sooner they will quit telling you that you need to register.
Registering at the hospital is easy, most hospitals have an online form you just fill out and submit. Then when you get to the hospital they just verify information and you don’t have to fill out as much paperwork.
Note: Depending on the hospital you can also set up a hospital tour during the third trimester. This allows you to get familiar with the hospital and ask any questions you have.
Ask Any Questions You Might Have
You should ask any questions you have all throughout pregnancy. During the third trimester it’s a really good idea to ask any questions you have about labor, birth, postpartum, the hospital stay, etc.
I really wish I would have asked more questions about birth and c-sections before having my first baby. A c-section wasn’t part of my birth plan so when I ended up having an emergency c-section there are a lot of things I wish I would have known.
Find a Pediatrician
Do some research and find a pediatrician for baby in your area. Many doctors offices will let you come in for an interview before having your baby to see if the practice will be a good fit.
Even if you don’t go in to meet the pediatrician you can ask any questions you might have over the phone.
Depending on where you deliver the pediatrician you select may see your baby in the hospital or your baby might be seen by the on-call pediatrician. Once you are released from the hospital you will take your baby to the pediatrician you selected for follow up care.
Purchase Baby Gear
By the middle of the third trimester, you should have had all of your baby showers and know what baby gear you still need to get. Purchase the things you still need for baby – this is when I like to get the big things since I don’t want to store them longer than I need to before the baby comes.
Along with gear like swings and car seats this is when I like to go through baby clothes and see what I still need to get.
Continue with Your Birth Class
Depending on what birthing class option you pick you might not start the class until the third trimester, or you might have already completed the class.
I took a hypnobabies home study birthing class before my first baby and those relaxing techniques I practiced helped me get through almost 30 hours of labor.
I haven’t taken another birthing class with any of my other pregnancies.
Some women like to take a class with each pregnancy and others don’t take any birthing classes at all. There are tons of options out there if it’s something you want to do, but if it’s not that’s totally fine too!
Organize and Clean
One of the big items on my third trimester to do list is to get the house and all things baby cleaned and organized.
I always have a list of more things I want to clean and organize then I actually get to but no matter how much I get done it’s always nice to have things a little more organized before having baby.
End of Third Trimester to Do List
With all that you get done during the first part of the third trimester you might be wondering what is left to do at the end of the trimester.
Hopefully you are better at getting things done than I am and your end of pregnancy to do list is short.
During the last few weeks of pregnancy, I always have a lot I still want to get done including several things that make coming home with a new baby so much easier.
Get the Last Few Baby Items
By the time the last few weeks of your pregnancy roll around you probably already have pretty much all the baby things.
But if there are any little things you still need to get now is the time to get them.
Stock up on Groceries and Everything Else
While you’re getting those last few baby items you’ll also want to stock up on groceries and everything else you’ll need for a couple of weeks.
Go through the house and make sure you’re stocked up on household items. You don’t want to come home with the baby and realize on day 2 you’re out of toilet paper or laundry detergent.
You will also want to stock up on nonperishable and frozen groceries especially. I always like having a few quick and easy frozen meal options along with simple meals like pasta and taco soup.
Don’t worry after baby comes you can always use grocery pick up to get groceries and household items without having to go into the store.
You can even get $10 off your first grocery pick up order using this link.
Wash all the Baby Things
Now that you have all your baby things it’s time to get them washed. Wash all bedding, clothes, car seats, etc so that they are ready to go when baby arrives.
You will also want to sanitize pacifiers, bottles, and your pump if you’re planning on using one.
Pack those Hospital Bags
Many people recommend having your hospital bags packed between 35-37 weeks so if your little one comes early you are ready. If it’s your first baby this is especially a great idea.
I’m personally the one that waits until almost the last minute to pack my hospital bag.
Probably not the best idea to wait until the last minute but since I have never gone into labor and have c-sections I haven’t felt the pressure to pack my bag as much.
When packing your hospital bag I recommend packing a separate bag for mom, dad and baby. This makes it so much easier to find what everyone needs without having to dig through as much stuff.
Prep for Postpartum
As you’re getting everything ready for baby don’t forget to get things ready to take care of yourself postpartum.
I like creating a postpartum basket and having it in the bathroom with everything I could need in there.
I also like to put together nursing stations near where I will be nursing. I include things like clean nursing pads, burp cloths and some little snacks. I also try to make sure I have a bottle of cold water with me when I sit down to nurse.
Making sure I have comfortable clothes to wear after giving birth and arrange for help with my other kids during those first few weeks is also a way I plan for my postpartum health.
Install the Car Seat
Installing the car seat or better yet having the hubby install the car seat a few weeks before your due date is a great idea.
Then you have one less thing to worry about grabbing on your way out the door to the hospital.
Sleep
With this pregnancy, I have wanted to keep getting up early each morning to get things done before the kids get up. But I have realized that though I was able to do it during the second trimester and the first part of the third I can’t do it anymore.
I’m more tired then I was a few weeks ago and I need to get the sleep I can before I’m up all night with the new baby.
Free Printable Third Trimester Check List
Get the free printable third trimester checklist below and use it to keep track of all the things you want to get done during the third trimester in the last few weeks before baby arrives.
More Pregnancy Posts
- Things First Time Moms Should Know Before Going Into Labor
- When Should You Announce Your Pregnancy
- Easy Ways to Save on Maternity Clothes
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